This curriculum vitae outlines the education and experience of Tara Marlena Laberge. She holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and has over 20 years of experience teaching voice and musical theatre. Her areas of research interest include vocal pedagogy, musical theatre history, and vocal health for young singers. She has taught at several post-secondary institutions and directed numerous musical theatre productions.
This curriculum vitae outlines the education and experience of Tara Marlena Laberge. She holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and has over 20 years of experience teaching voice and musical theatre. Her areas of research interest include vocal pedagogy, musical theatre history, and vocal health for young singers. She has taught at several post-secondary institutions and directed numerous musical theatre productions.
This curriculum vitae outlines the education and experience of Tara Marlena Laberge. She holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and has over 20 years of experience teaching voice and musical theatre. Her areas of research interest include vocal pedagogy, musical theatre history, and vocal health for young singers. She has taught at several post-secondary institutions and directed numerous musical theatre productions.
This curriculum vitae outlines the education and experience of Tara Marlena Laberge. She holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and has over 20 years of experience teaching voice and musical theatre. Her areas of research interest include vocal pedagogy, musical theatre history, and vocal health for young singers. She has taught at several post-secondary institutions and directed numerous musical theatre productions.
BEd – 2 year After Degree – University of Calgary - Secondary Music Specialist Current
DMA - Vocal Performance – School of Music - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 2011 Dissertation: Crossover: A review of the history, pedagogy and practice of Musical Theatre for the classical singer Supervisor: John David DeHaan/Adriana Zabala *Secondary and supporting coursework completed in the Theatre and Dance Departments*
MMus – Vocal Performance – School of Music - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 2005
BMus – Vocal Performance - Awarded with Distinction - University of Victoria 2001
Diploma in Music Performance – Voice - Dean’s List - Mount Royal University 1998
Teaching/Research Interests Longevity and Vocal Health in Young Singers, Vocal Pedagogy, History of the Musical Theatre Voice, Intersections of Music and Theatre, Interdisciplinary Creation, Vocal Literature, Opera as Theatre
POST SECONDARY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Ambrose University – Calgary, AB 2015-2019
Adjunct Professor – Music and Theatre Courses: (* Designed and Taught) Voice and Speech for the Actor *Art and Faith – Course #1 300-1825, Course #2 1825-2018 *Vocal Production 1 & 2 – Musical Theatre *History of Western Music – Musical Theatre
Rocky Mountain College - Calgary, AB 2013-2015
Adjunct Professor – Music and Theatre Courses: *Applied Voice *Vocal Pedagogy Advanced Musicianship *Christianity and Art
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Augsburg College - Minneapolis, MN 2009 (Occasional) Substitute Sessional Instructor - Music Courses: Applied Voice
STAGE DIRECTING/MUSIC DIRECTING
Ambrose University – Ambrose Arts 2018
Amahl and the Night Visitors – A collaborative production including Faculty, guest artists, community members and students Stage Director
Storybook Theatre Summer Intensive 2014-2019
Bring it on, Into the Woods, West Side Story, Grease!, RENT(Ass. Stage Director), Les Misérables Music Director/Teaching Faculty
Storybook Theatre Sister Act 2019 Junie B. Jones The Musical 2018 You’re a good man, Charlie Brown/A Charlie Brown Christmas 2017 Pinkalicious 2017 Beauty and the Beast 2016 Music Director
Theatre@Rocky 2014 33 Swoons Sound Design
Theatre@Rocky 2013 Agnes of God Music Director/Assistant Stage Director
Storybook Theatre Summer Theatre School 2013
Excerpts from CATS and Old possum’s book of fantastical cats Stage Director/Music Director/Arranger
Minnesota Opera 2010
Project OPERA - opera scenes at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts Stage Director
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Minnesota Fringe Festival/Opera BOB 2010 Riders to the Sea – Ralph Vaughan Williams Stage Director/Producer
University of Minnesota Summer Musical Theatre Intensive 2008, 07, 04
Sabes Jewish Community Center Summer Theatre 2010, 09, 08
13, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Music Director/Teaching Faculty
Rosetown Playhouse 2008
Teddy and Alice Music Director
University of Minnesota Opera Theatre 2006
Le Nozze di Figaro Associate Stage Director - responsible for directing the production (Graduate and Undergraduate voice majors) after initial staging rehearsals/concept development
ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Mount Royal University Conservatory 2017
Voice Teacher – Private vocal lessons
St. Francis Highschool – Calgary, AB 2015
Adjudicator - Provided feedback on final term performance; worked with the students on musical theatre singing and performance techniques.
Storybook Theatre – Calgary, AB 2015
Musical Theatre Workshop Instructor – Teaching acting, vocal production and stagecraft to 12-18 year old students. Culminates in final 30 minute presentation.
Prince of Peace Elementary School – Chestermere, AB 2013
School Residency - Wrote and produced a short play with 44 grade 3 students. Teaching included acting, voice, script writing, and development of emotional vocabulary.
Encore! Junior High Festival of Drama – Calgary, AB 2019, 18, 13
Musical Theatre Workshop Instructor – Taught musical theatre vocal pedagogy, audition techniques, and song preparation.
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Saint Paul Conservatory of Performing Arts - St. Paul, MN 2010 Voice Faculty for Vocal Performance Track - Grade 9-12 (State of Minnesota Special Teaching License)
Private Voice Studio - Victoria, Calgary, Minneapolis 2000-2020
Adjudicating - Voice, Speech, and Musical Theatre
2020 – Calgary NATS 2019 – St. Albert 2018 – Grand Prairie, Calgary NATS 2017 – Yellowknife, High River, Peace River, Calgary NATS 2016 – Drumheller, Provost, Calgary NATS 2015 – Brooks, Camrose and District, Medicine Hat 2014 - Olds and District, Stettler and District, Airdrie, Red Deer 2013 - Lacombe, Wetaskiwin
Lectures Vocal Health and Physiology for Young Actors – 2 hours ONLINE 2020 Lecture given as part of the Storybook Summer Intensive Program
Vocal Health and Physiology for Teachers - 3 hour lecture 2017
Backbeat Music Group
Vocal Health and Physiology – 3 hour lecture 2017
Peace River Performing Arts Festival
“The Healthy Voice” – 1.5 Hour Seminar 2016
Physiology and Vocal Health for Actors and Singers Cowtown Opera
“The Healthy Voice” – 1.5 Hour Seminar 2016
Physiology and Vocal Health for Actors and Singers Fire Exit Theatre
UNIVERSITY & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE/ADMINSTRATION
Southern Alberta NATS Chapter - Secretary 2018/2019
Ambrose University – Season Planning Committee 2018/2019
Scripts on Fire – Fire Exit Theatre – Panel Member 2017
Administrative Fellow – University of Minnesota School of Music –
Admissions/Recruitment 2008-2011
Assistant to the Artistic Director - Northrop Memorial Auditorium –
University of Minnesota 2003-2008 Tara M. Laberge, DMA Page 4 Advisory Council – Re-build of Northrop Memorial Auditorium 2007-2008
Soprano Soloist - University of Minnesota Special Events 2004-2010
AWARDS & HONOURS
Calgary Arts Development – Individual Projects Grant 2016
A Very Small Arts Fund – Special Projects Grant recipient 2010 University of Minnesota – Administrative Fellowship, Admissions and Recruitment 2008-2011 Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Individual Projects Grant 2004, 03,01 Canadian National Music festival - Alberta Voice Representative 2002 Alberta Provincial Music Festival - Provincial/National Class-Voice – Winner 2002 Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival Rose Bowl – Winner - Most Outstanding Performer 2002 Calgary Kiwanis Festival Mozart Competition – Second Place 2002 Bethany Care Center Founders Bursary - Excellence in Academics 2002, 01 British Columbia Music Festival – Provincial/National Class-Voice – Second Place 2001 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Rose Bowl – Winner - Voice 2001 Leeder Memorial Scholarship – Academic and Artistic Excellence – University of Victoria 2000 Evelyn McLaughlin Memorial Entrance Scholarship – University of Victoria 1999 Canada West Performing Arts Scholarship 1996
MEMBERSHIPS/PROFESSIONAL AFFLILIATIONS
The Alberta Teachers’ Association – Student Member
National Association of Teachers of Singing - Full Member Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association – Full Member Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association – Full Member Theatre Lyra (Calgary, AB) – Founding Member Opera BOB (Minneapolis, MN) – Founding Member Equity Member Candidate – United States Fire Exit Theatre – Former Creative Team
ADDITIONAL TRAINING/CLASSES
Music What every singer needs to know about the body – Andover Workshop with Kimberly Barber NATS Winter Workshop 2017 – Sing the Body Electric – San Diego, CA USA Jeanette Lovetri – Introduction to Somatic Voicework – Edmonton, AB Weiner Meisterkurse für Musique - Edith Wiens - Vienna, Austria Opera Nuova Young Artists Program - Edmonton, AB Victoria Conservatory Summer Vocal Academy – Victoria, BC Victoria Conservatory Opera Studio – Victoria, BC Linfield Vocal Institute - Richard Miller - Oregon, USA Piano as a second instrument- University of Victoria Grade 8 Piano - Royal Conservatory of Music
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Theatre and Dance MFA course: Advanced Theatre Directing - Lou Bellamy - Artistic Director - Penumbra Theatre BFA course: Advanced Characterization (4 th year acting) - Barbara Kingsley PhD course: History & Theory of Western Theatre - 20th Century to WW ll - Dr. Michal Kobialka MFA course: Principles of Arts Management - Kathleen Hanson BFA courses: Jazz (2, 3, 4) Ballet (2) & Pilates for Dancers Guthrie Theatre - Guthrie Advanced Monologue Study - Matthew Vaky – Minneapolis, MN The Kennedy Center - Leadership exchange in Arts and Disability Education Engaging All Students—Creating Authentic Learning Environments 2020 Alberta Teachers’ Association PD Using Overarching Activities to Enhance the Curriculum 2020 Jennifer Williams - President Social Studies Council ATA Thinking about Learning: Metacognition and Mindfulness 2019 Alberta Teachers’ Association PD
